AAPRCO Mission Statement

We are a professional trade association of private railroad car owners, founded in 1977, as a not for profit corporation.

Our mission is to promote the ownership, safe operation and enjoyment of the private passenger railcar.

We support the continued operation of a national network of corridor and long distance passenger trains that provide access for private railroad cars.

We have always seemed to have a love affair with trains. Not only did the railroads build America, they took travelers through their country rather than above it.

The railroad passenger car represents a more relaxed and civilized time and the private car is the epitome of the elegance and grace of a bygone era.

Those days can be recreated through travel on a PV (Private Varnish.) Men and women across the country have salvaged these magnificent pieces of history from the scrap yards and brought them back to life.

AAPRCO was formed as a national trade organization in 1977 as a not-for-profit corporation. By March of 1978 there were 54 active and associate members.  Membership now stands at around 550.

Three cars traveled to Chicago for the first convention in 1978. That has increased over the years.  21 cars participated in the 2016 convention special train that operated one way from Denver to Spokane.